The consultants who spent years helping self storage unit operators scale their self-storage portfolios, say that they have seen firsthand how the right storage unit management software can make or break the business growth plans. As such software boasts of dozens of unique features— it’s easy to get lost in checkboxes—until you compare the real impact they create executing different operations.

“All new technologies get obsolete pretty quickly especially when they are present online. So it’s a prerequisite to keep an eye on the evolution of different self storage software that take care of the remote storage units management”

The mechanism, without a doubt, gone from mediocre physical operations for decades to AI powered automation in recent years. Still, the legacy platforms seem to lead in number of operating self storage units but when it comes to automation and AI integration there are clear winners which lead the way to carry out easy self storage unit operations every single day without being physically present around even the gadgets that control them– That’s the magic part about new tools for self storage unit management.
Here we have compared various leading self storage platforms with their main features across varying comparative parameters to tell you the good to great features of different platforms. Along the way, you would also notice how the legacy software are still stuck in the mess and still trying to figure out ways; while the new technologies are clearly providing substantial features for automating day-to-day operations from a single dashboard.

Comparison of Smart Storage Software vs. 6Storage vs. Easy Storage Solutions

Here you would see the legacy to advanced features of various self storage unit software. Some are still relatable but what’s the pressing need of today is very important to understand here. If you own a single/multiple remote properties or self storage units– it’s essential to understand the defining and varying fundamental features which are necessary to grow your business manifolds. One things needs to be kept in mind that advanced and new always sticks to provide a high level of management control.

#1 Legacy to Advanced Features 

#2 Strategic Positioning – From Tools to Transformation

i) Tool vs. Platform

• 6Storage – It’s a very focused tool for unit rentals and basic gate control.
• Easy Storage Solutions – It’s basically task-oriented platform that provides the systematic payments and tenant messaging facilities.
• ccStorage – The self storage unit operators get modular add-ons—pick a billing engine or a gate system as per needs. 
• DoorLoop – It provides a broad toolkit with rental property/self storage unit accounting, but still built around individual modules.
• Smart Storage Software – It’s an all-in-one platform unifying operations, billing, marketing, and analytics powered by AI and the automation comes as a part and parcel of this platform. 

ii) Self Storage Operations vs. Transformation

• 6Storage – It is best known for handling invoicing and access codes 
• Easy Storage Solutions – ESS manages reservations, payments, and reminders.
• ccStorage – It automates select type of workflows (e.g., billing), but leaves strategy to you.
• DoorLoop – It tracks leases and finances but the most important aspect like ‘reporting’ still requires manual setup.
• Smart Storage Software – It turns daily chores into AI-driven workflows, from dynamic pricing to customer lifecycle triggers.

iii) Past vs. Future

• 6Storage – It’s provides legacy services and relies on yesterday’s self-storage toolkit.
• Easy Storage Solutions – They make efforts to stay relatable and has been built for common practices of today.
• ccStorage – Bridges legacy setups with cloud modules.
• DoorLoop – It comes with a modern UI powered by an App, but limited real-time orchestration
• Smart Storage Software – It has been designed to meet future-oriented demands– it’s cloud-native, has capability of AI optimization and caters to provide multi-site control in real time in a single dashboard. 

iv) Feature vs. Outcome

• 6Storage – It leads the self storage crowd when something related to codes and invoices pops up. 
• Easy Storage Solutions – You can push late-fee and renewal messages automatically
• ccStorage – The operators get building blocks for their self storage facilities such as (billing engine, customer portal) without end-to-end orchestration.
• DoorLoop – It masters at capturing financials insights yet require extra reports if the operators have to make data-based decisions for the business. 
• Smart Storage Software – The owners and operators of remote storage properties can generate real-business outcomes operating from a single dashboard by getting automated growth, different price points and customer delight at scale.

v) Doing vs. Being

• 6Storage – This platform helps self-storage owners and operators rent out their units efficiently.
• Easy Storage Solutions – The new/old all customers receive professional support for resolving disputes with tenants.
• ccStorage – It enables clients to build a customized self-storage management toolkit.
• DoorLoop – Self-storage owners and operators can generate leases and manage finances with ease.
• Smart Storage Software – This solution empowers remote property owners and operators to create growth-driven strategies using live data for informed self-storage business decisions.

#3 Deep Feature Comparison

In the chart below, we have shown a deeper version of different self-storage unit software features based on data received from various channels. This research sheds light on the different features offered by various remote property management tools. What works best for the operators is highlighted below. The software may boast hundreds of features and claim to offer a feature-rich SaaS, but not all claims are necessarily fulfilled. Therefore, this chart below breaks down each feature of each self storage unit management platform and compares it separately so that we could see the distinction in each one of them.